The truck cartel case

Published September 17, 2021

The European Commission has imposed almost three billion euros in fines on 5 truck manufacturers in the largest cartel uncovered so far, the truck cartel, AT.39284.

It is important to note that Daimler, MAN, Renault/Volvo, Iveco and DAF are jointly and severally liable, i.e. each cartel participant can be held fully liable for each purchase (i.e. also from a competitor).

These cartelists have fully admitted their actions and admitted all the charges.

In 2010, after being uncovered by their internal compliance department, MAN decided to submit a confession to the Commission so that it would be exempted from fines.

However, MAN continues to be liable for damages to the injured parties (companies that bought or leased trucks in the relevant time period).

Due to the Commission’s findings (which are binding for the national courts), there is an excellent starting position for requesting compensation.

In addition, in the meantime very high amount of interest have accumulated, because originally purchases and leasing from 1997 to 2016 were eligible.

The only cartel offender still contesting the conviction (Scania) is still fighting its case, however they couldn’t avoid paying fines amounting to € 880 million.

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Recent developments

Cartelists have already set aside provisions of more than €2.5 billionMay 8, 2023
Eindhoven-based DAF Trucks reached a settlement worth €550 million in Q1 of this year with transport companies who overpaid for their trucks as a result of illegal price fixing. Paccar, which has owned DAF Trucks… Read more Cartelists have already set aside provisions of more than €2.5 billion
Waberer’s out of court settlement in cartel caseApril 7, 2023
Transport and logistics company Waberer´s has resolved on 03.04.2023 one of the ongoing truck cartel cases through an out-of-court settlement with one of the HGV manufacturers involved. The company had initiated a compensation procedure at… Read more Waberer’s out of court settlement in cartel case
UK Court urges for simplified approach when calculating damagesMarch 22, 2023
The Uk Court cautions that although they received thousands of pages of detailed expert reports on all the issues, there were certain subsidiary issues, such as Complements and Loss of Volume, where there was disproportionate… Read more UK Court urges for simplified approach when calculating damages
Progress of our pending case in the NetherlandsMarch 20, 2023
The latest developments regarding DAF’s counter-submission to lawsuits in the 3rd batch, which includes our cases. Our lawyers have analysed DAF’s submission and suggested further steps. DAF is denying 100% of the claims submitted by… Read more Progress of our pending case in the Netherlands
Main issues related to expert testimony (Truck Cartel)March 15, 2023
As we previously informed you, The Royal Mail Group and the BT have brought a follow-on claim against companies in the DAF Group for engaging in illegal price fixing. The Competition Appeal Tribunal is currently grappling… Read more Main issues related to expert testimony (Truck Cartel)
Royal Mail and BT awarded over £17.5 million in damages against DAF TrucksFebruary 24, 2023
The UK Competition Appeal Tribunal recently awarded Royal Mail and BT approximately £17.5 million in damages from DAF Trucks for the Trucks cartel scandal, which is the UK’s first successful follow-on damages claim in the long-running… Read more Royal Mail and BT awarded over £17.5 million in damages against DAF Trucks
Report on Truck Cartel February 2023February 23, 2023
Truck Cartel, AT.39824 All parties have presented their arguments in court. The first results of the court-commissioned expert opinion have been presented and all quantum experts will review and send their statements by the end… Read more Report on Truck Cartel February 2023
In 2023 it is still not too late to act!February 21, 2023
As you may remember the end of last year was the final deadline, and most of the claims became time-barred with the end of 2022. Yet, you can still make a claim for compensation!In order… Read more In 2023 it is still not too late to act!
The current state of claims in the NetherlandsFebruary 17, 2023
As we have recently informed you, DAF has been granted one year by the court to prepare its response to the third group action (including the LitFin lawsuit). On 7 December 2022, our attorneys received… Read more The current state of claims in the Netherlands
Current state of Toll-collect refunds in GermanyFebruary 15, 2023
The Cologne Administrative Court has made an order* with the subject matter of the dispute: The plaintiff is seeking a partial repayment of tolls for the years 2016-2020, citing a decision of the ECJ on… Read more Current state of Toll-collect refunds in Germany
7 logical reasons why the truck manufacturers are neither in a position nor willing to sanction someone who brings a claim against them in the truck cartel caseSeptember 9, 2022
Ever since the truck cartel scandal broke and the compensation proceedings were launched, there have been constant rumours that it is not worth claiming compensation because there could be “consequences”. Despite the fact that in… Read more 7 logical reasons why the truck manufacturers are neither in a position nor willing to sanction someone who brings a claim against them in the truck cartel case
State-owned companies, municipalities and public corporations – are they really obliged to claim damages from truck manufacturers?August 8, 2022
The question is often asked: are state-owned companies, municipalities and their municipal enterprises as well as joint-stock companies, in contrast to private companies, legally obliged to initiate compensation proceedings against cartel truck manufacturers before the end of… Read more State-owned companies, municipalities and public corporations – are they really obliged to claim damages from truck manufacturers?
Judgment of the Amsterdam Court of 20.7.2022August 7, 2022
In the Netherlands, our clients’ claims are in the third wave of plaintiffs. This allows us to follow the development of the case for the two groups of plaintiffs that will be tried before us… Read more Judgment of the Amsterdam Court of 20.7.2022
European Court of Justice ruled: Special vehicles such as waste collection trucks are also subject to the truck cartelAugust 4, 2022
On 01 August 2022, the ECJ clarified that refuse collection trucks and other special vehicles are to be included in the compensation under the truck cartel in the same way as other trucks. The Court thus followed the… Read more European Court of Justice ruled: Special vehicles such as waste collection trucks are also subject to the truck cartel
Mercedes has set aside reserves of more than €1 billion in preparation for litigation and legal risksJuly 22, 2022
Although truck manufacturers are extremely low-key (for understandable reasons) about the ongoing claims for damages by the truck cartel, in the background they have already had to reckon with the probably inevitable consequences. At least, this is… Read more Mercedes has set aside reserves of more than €1 billion in preparation for litigation and legal risks
Only 4 months left to act for those who want to get compensationJuly 20, 2022
The explosion in costs and fuel prices that is taking place in Europe before our eyes is putting an extraordinary strain on truck operators, adding to the inevitable wage increases of recent years. It is safe to say that businesses… Read more Only 4 months left to act for those who want to get compensation
Defeat for Mercedes. Motions to bias against the presiding judge rejected.July 17, 2022
Update: The motion for bias filed by Mercedes at the Dortmund Regional Court, Case No. 8 O 4/18 were dismissed. The Dortmund Regional Court was originally scheduled to pronounce a judgment against truck manufacturer Mercedes in an ongoing truck antitrust case in January 2022, but Mercedes wanted… Read more Defeat for Mercedes. Motions to bias against the presiding judge rejected.
DAF has filed a motion to join the other truck manufacturers in the proceedings in the NetherlandsJuly 6, 2022
Counterparty’s procedural steps During the proceedings, DAF filed a motion to join the other truck manufacturers in the proceedings in respect of our claim. DAF has already made such a request, but this request has… Read more DAF has filed a motion to join the other truck manufacturers in the proceedings in the Netherlands
ECJ puts the plaintiffs in the Truck Cartel in an even more favourable positionJuly 4, 2022
The ECJ (Court of Justice of the European Union) has now confirmed that the limitation period only starts to run in 2017 (the year of publication of the Commission’s decision) and not already in 2016 (the year of the… Read more ECJ puts the plaintiffs in the Truck Cartel in an even more favourable position
Truck Cartel legal action – A comparison of cases in the UK and GermanyMay 1, 2022
After several years of uneventful waiting, recent developments in the RHA case have brought truck cartel compensation back to the spotlight in the UK. For those who may have missed the latest news, a ruling by the Competition… Read more Truck Cartel legal action – A comparison of cases in the UK and Germany
Scania has filed an appealApril 19, 2022
As we reported earlier, the European Commission imposed a fine of € 880 million on Scania in Truck Cartel case in 2017 after Scania, unlike the 5 other truck makers, did not cooperate in the investigation of the fraud. Scania’s claim against the… Read more Scania has filed an appeal
The chronological history of the Truck CartelMarch 17, 2022
The (price-fixing) Truck Cartel lasted formally for 14 years from 17.01.1997 until 18.01.2011 and was only revealed to the public years later in 2014. The generally accepted view in the field is that damage can be detected up to the… Read more The chronological history of the Truck Cartel
Latest decision: waste collection trucks and other special purpose trucks are also entitled for compensationMarch 16, 2022
On 24th of February, the Advocate General made it clear in her decision that refuse trucks and other special purpose trucks should be considered just the same as general purpose trucks in the truck cartel compensation process. The early March published Opinion (Case C-588/20,… Read more Latest decision: waste collection trucks and other special purpose trucks are also entitled for compensation
Required documents for the Financing Agreement and the Sale of ClaimsFebruary 21, 2022
Invoices or leasing contracts (scan copy). Both purchase, hire purchase, leasing and long-term rental are eligible. It is important that the chassis number of the vehicle is listed on the documents. In the case of a leasing or hire agreement, the total amount, including the down… Read more Required documents for the Financing Agreement and the Sale of Claims
It’s still not late to get compensation at German CourtsFebruary 4, 2022
In many EU member states, it is no longer possible to claim compensation for truck cartel damages at court. Reason for that is, that although the EU requires legal harmonisation at a basic level (this means that the… Read more It’s still not late to get compensation at German Courts
Good news for non-EU truck owners in truck cartel compensation caseFebruary 4, 2022
From the outset, the whole procedure has only allowed companies based in the EU to claim compensation. From a legal point of view, this is an understandable limitation, as the European Commission’s resolution did not provide a stable… Read more Good news for non-EU truck owners in truck cartel compensation case
The European Court has dismissed Scania’s lawsuit and upheld the € 880 million fine February 4, 2022
As previously reported, Scania has tried to go its own way in the truck cartel process, unlike other truck manufacturers. In its 42-page ruling published on 2nd February 2022, the European Court clearly rejected this option. According to the European… Read more The European Court has dismissed Scania’s lawsuit and upheld the € 880 million fine
Status report truck cartel lawsuits in the Netherlands January 2022February 2, 2022
On 20th September 2021, our Dutch advocates (from law firm STEK)attended the formal hearing of the Amsterdam District Court. The court discussed a number of procedural issues that were important for the proceedings but also time-consuming. At this… Read more Status report truck cartel lawsuits in the Netherlands January 2022
Status report truck cartel lawsuits in Germany, January 2022January 28, 2022
On 23 September 2021, the Federal Court of Justice (BGH), Case No. KZR 35/19, ruled on fundamental liability and fully confirmed the legal opinion of the plaintiffs. There was not only an exchange of information, but – as… Read more Status report truck cartel lawsuits in Germany, January 2022
Is Mercedes grasping at straws? Motion of bias against the presiding judge.December 6, 2021
Update 2: Defeat for Mercedes. Motions to bias against the presiding judge rejected. Update 1: According to information from the Dortmund District Court, no decision has yet been made on the bias applications as of… Read more Is Mercedes grasping at straws? Motion of bias against the presiding judge.
Was the truck purchased new directly or via a wholesale company – in both cases there is a claim to the refundDecember 3, 2021
In the second ruling on the Truck Cartel, BGH KZR 19/20, the Federal Court of Justice clarifies that the factual assumption also applies in the case of an indirect, third-party purchases. Because the legally independent wholesalers were involved in the distribution in a systematic and continuous… Read more Was the truck purchased new directly or via a wholesale company – in both cases there is a claim to the refund
Yet another Higher Regional Court decision in favour of the Truck BuyersNovember 22, 2021
With the decision of the 1st Cartel Senate of the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt, 5 August 2021 *, another Higher Regional Court has now joined the plaintiff-friendly judicature in the Truck Cartel case. The decision deals with the… Read more Yet another Higher Regional Court decision in favour of the Truck Buyers
Reimbursement of the HGV toll – apply for the full amount!November 22, 2021
Following a change of the legal basis, there will be a partial refund of the German HGV toll. But be careful: this refund only covers a fraction of the actual claim! The offered process will reimburse the reduction for… Read more Reimbursement of the HGV toll – apply for the full amount!
Next milestone and time expectationsNovember 20, 2021
Now that three Federal Supreme Court (BGH) judgments have been delivered*, all of which are favourable to plaintiffs, the lower courts are called upon to determine the extent of damages. The Federal Supreme Court (BGH) strongly backed the proceedings… Read more Next milestone and time expectations
Time-barring – a complex subject explained simplyOctober 27, 2021
With regard to the statute of limitations in the truck cartel case, it should first be noted that the limitation periods have been suspended for a very long time due to the ongoing investigations. The process finally resulted… Read more Time-barring – a complex subject explained simply
And what about Scania now?October 1, 2021
The Scania case is special. While the other 5 cartel offenders fully confessed and admitted all offences, Scania is still resisting. A fine of 880 million euros was imposed on Scania. Scania had to pay this fine because the decision had… Read more And what about Scania now?
The truck cartel caseSeptember 17, 2021
The European Commission has imposed almost three billion euros in fines on 5 truck manufacturers in the largest cartel uncovered so far, the truck cartel, AT.39284. It is important to note that Daimler, MAN, Renault/Volvo, Iveco and DAF are jointly and severally liable, i.e. each cartel participant can… Read more The truck cartel case

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Recent developments

Do you have a question?
Ask our experts!